Apple’s mixed-reality headset is finally around the corner
Mark Gurman and Bloomberg are reporting that Apple showcased “a version” of its upcoming mixed-reality headset to its board, comprised of eight independent members and CEO Tim Cook, last week for the first time. The company is also said to have ramped up development of the accompanying operating system, realityOS (dubbed ‘rOS’ internally).
According to reports, Apple targeted an official debut at next month’s WWDC 2022. But difficulties on the hardware side, particularly in relation to overheating, are believed to have delayed the announcement. Long before that, the company was originally targeting a debut in 2019 with a release the following year. However, delays pushed this back to 2021, before additional delays moved it to the current timeline.
What will Apple’s first mixed-reality headset bring to the table?
Rumor has it that Apple’s mixed-reality headset uses ultra-high resolution 4K micro-OLED displays coupled with eye-tracking capabilities and hand gesture support, allowing users to easily control the wearable. Alongside this is reportedly a powerful custom Apple processor that’s equivalent in terms of performance to the M1 family of chipsets used inside the MacBook and iPad lineups.
Concept renders of Meta’s Project Cambria
All of this will ultimately serve as a stepping stone towards Apple’s true consumer-focused product — a pair of Apple AR glasses, which should be significantly more affordable.
Apple could be entering the AR/VR market at just the right time
The AR and VR headset market is still in its early days, but the devices are slowly becoming more mainstream thanks to entries from Meta, Sony’s PlayStation, and HTC Vive. A new report out today from Counterpoint Research reveals that Meta’s Quest 2 is the first VR headset to cross 10 million lifetime sales.
